Performance Unlimited Blog

If there’s one day out of the year, here in McHenry, when it’s okay to let your hair down and get a little wild, it’s New Year’s Eve. It’s almost mandatory. No one will blame you if you drink a little too much, or a lot. They won’t care if you whoop and holler at Midnight. The crazy paper hat on your head will appear as appropriate as the big smile on your face. If you drive, however, while imbibing a bit too much, there is one group that will not be understanding. They won’t say, “Well, it’s New Year’s Eve. You’re just having fun.” To make matters worse, this group will spend the night of festivities prowling the roads of McHenry looking for revelers who have carried their celebrating to a seat behind the steering wheel of the car, truck or SUV. They are so unforgiving that they’ll go out of their way to ruin your fun while giving you a great-big headache for the year ahead. McHenry has holiday spoilsports with badges and unforgiving attitudes This group of spoil-sports has ...

At this point, if you haven’t winterized your car, time is definitely running short. In fact, McHenry area weather has already thrown some serious tests you and your car’s way. Where we usually don’t see more than a few flakes of snow through mid-November, this year we had children Trick-or-Treating in a snowstorm. Equally unusual, where we only dip slightly below the freezing mark in the same period, we saw temperatures that were far colder than we’re used to here in the McHenry area. Not only did we see days in the teens, on a couple occasions, the temperature dipped into the single digits. One of the worst of these days was Nov. 12 when the high only reached 16 degrees and the mercury fell to a low of 6 degrees. The weather warmed up a little after that but there’s a lot of winter left to go. If your car surpassed that early test, there are other tests yet to come. In January and February, temperatures in the single digits could refer to highs as sub-zero temperatures are ...

Imagine if the Big Guy came in for a landing and a strut for one of the sleigh blades broke. Or, think about Nick going off-course because the in-dash navigation system was on the fritz. Even if the seat warmers stopped warming it could spell disaster for good girls and boys, as well as bad; keep in mind the temperatures are dangerously low when soaring at 10,000 feet. Maintenance is part of the trip that the Jolly Old Fellow can’t overlook. Of course, in the case of this extensive route, maintenance includes the care and feeding of aged reindeer. The average life span for an ordinary reindeer is 12 years. But these reindeer are known to have pulled the boss’s sleigh since 1823 and longer. That was when Clement Clarke Moore is said to have published the first account of their miraculous annual journey. That makes these reindeer at least 196-years old. That’s getting a little-bit long in the antler. It’s unclear whether Nicholas has ever replaced his vehicle in these years. At the...

Last winter here in Wonder Lake, the temperature fell to close to 30-below zero. That’s cold. That’s really, really cold. That’s the kind of cold where you don’t want to go outside longer than you have to. But, unless you have a heated garage, it’s also the kind of cold your car, truck or SUV is stuck in. It can make it difficult to start your vehicle. The cold has a peculiar effect on liquids. With water, the cold will make it solidify into ice at 32 degrees. Fortunately, your car, truck or SUV fluids are adjusted to withstand temperatures that fall below 32 degrees. If it’s ‘healthy,’ the coolant/antifreeze in your vehicle should be able to withstand temperatures down to 35-degrees below zero. You may have noticed that’s only 5-degress beyond the temperatures that were experience in Wonder Lake last winter. And, when you consider the wind-chill factor, it’s possible there was a car, truck or SUV that experienced colder temperatures than that. With a mix of either methanol, etha...

Truck drivers, the drivers of those 18-wheel monstrosities we see on the roads around McHenry, are required by law to conduct a Pre-Trip Inspection each day before they drive. It makes a lot of sense considering how much damage a 40-ton tractor-trailer can do if something goes wrong. Performing an inspection before you drive makes sense for those of us operating 4-wheel, 1-1/2-ton little monsters, too. If something breaks while a 40-ton truck is hurtling down the road, get out of the way. But, if something goes wrong while you’re steering your car down a McHenry road, the potential for injury and worse is very real. How do you avoid having something break while driving? It’s impossible to absolutely avoid this potentiality. Things break. That’s all there is to it. But you can dramatically reduce the possibility of something going wrong while you drive down the road by staying on top of your vehicle’s condition. Of course, a pre-trip inspection of your car can also help you to avo...

Here at Performance Unlimited, we treasure those moments when we’re able to alleviate the fears of a car owner who may have thought the problem with their car was a painful interruption to their budget or even beyond financial viability. When, after checking their car out, we return to the waiting room, or call them on the phone, we enjoy telling them that the problem isn’t all they dreaded it would be. It’s a joy to hear the relief in their voice, to see the relaxation of tension in their eyes. Of course, it doesn’t always work out this way; sometimes, as though they’re in the waiting room awaiting the news from the doctor about a loved one, we have to tell them that the conditions are more advanced and even more work is required to return their vehicle to its prior good health. This is why we always recommend that our customers stay on top of maintaining their vehicles. Good and timely maintenance is the best way to avoid those events where the news we report is as bad or worse ...

In summer, when you want to go somewhere, you jump in the car and go. But, in winter in McHenry, it’s not that easy. You may have snow that requires the application of a snow shovel or snowblower. There’s a good chance you’ll have to clean snow from the car and/or scrape ice and frost from the windows. Keeping this in mind, it’s crucial that you have the proper tools on hand. This means a brush to sweep off the snow and a scraper for the frost and ice. Often, you can pick up a dual-purpose brush-scraper. Or you may want a dedicated tool for each purpose. A scraper, by itself, can often tuck in nicely, and out of the way, near the drivers seat. Remember the purpose for sweeping the snow and scraping the windows is to maximize your vision while driving. Vision is essential to safe driving. Try squinting your eyes so they’re barely open. Imagine driving with your eyes like this. Even if you’re in a hurry, it’s worth the time to completely clear the snow, ice and frost from your car’s ...

When America entered WWII much of her arsenal was outdated and outmoded. Advancements were needed: better ships, better tanks, better planes. But one stalwart stood ready from the start: the Jeep. As today is Veterans Day, the 101 st Celebration of the end of WWI, it’s appropriate to pause for a moment to consider the contribution of the Jeep to America’s fight to defend liberty. The Jeep was a simple, squat four-wheel vehicle that served as the standard transportation for officers, scouts, soldiers and sailors during the war. Introduced in 1940, Willys Overland and Ford Motor Company built 640,000 Jeeps during WWII. Jeeps were rugged critters. They were built for brutal offroad driving – built to go where the infantry needed her to go. Her low profile allowed her to avoid detection behind walls, berms and hedges. She was light enough that several men could pick her up, with some exertion, and move her and carry her out of mud when stuck. Nearly as important was that the...

As we discovered last week, snow can fall even when we don’t expect it. Few would have guessed that the first snowfall – not just a few flakes but snow that would accumulate on the ground and the roads, would arrive the last day of October. It just seems a tad early. But whenever snow falls, it forces adjustments on the wiser drivers in the Richmond area. Not everyone makes these adjustments. Some continue driving as though Mother Nature hasn’t delivered a blow to the solar-plexis of normal Richmond driving conditions. These folks go racing around as if the roads are perfectly dry. Of course, it’s not all that uncommon to see these people in the ditch further down the road. On the other hand, we’ll see drivers who may overcompensate for the slippery conditions. It’s probably better to overcompensate than to ignore the snowy and icy conditions. This, however, can cause hazards for other people on the roads. In particular, those drivers who ignore the new-found slipperiness of the roa...

They're creepy and they're kooky Mysterious and spooky They're all together ooky … And they’ll be on the streets of Wonder Lake today ready to scare the pants off you … while filling their bags with those oh-so-sweet tributes. That’s right; today is Halloween: Trick or Treat, the annual festival celebrating the carving of pumpkins, the wearing of scary costumes, consumption of large sums of candy and all the spooks that go bump in the night. Children, from those experiencing their first All Hallows Eve as infants (carried in strollers or the arms of parents), through the adolescent years to those in their early teens, will don their favorite costumes and walk the neighborhoods knocking on doors accepting treats to forgo unspeakable-and-ghostly tricks. For young Trick-or-Treaters, this is a particularly exciting time of year. They’ve given great thought to their costumes. Some are ghosts. Others witches. Then you have your zombies, monsters, wild animals and fright...

Winter in McHenry is rough on your car’s engine, charging system and battery, tires, shocks, suspension, steering and brakes. It’s tough on every aspect of your car, truck or SUV, including one aspect not listed above: a McHenry winter is tough on your car, truck or SUV’s finish, too. You have all that snow and ice falling and spreading on your car, truck or SUV. Then it lays there on that fine finish. Spill some water on a table and let it sit there. After a while, you’ll have a spot that doesn’t want to come off. It’s the same thing with your car, truck or SUV though the paint on your vehicle has a resilient coating designed to protect the paint from the elements. If you sweep the snow off your car, truck or SUV, be sure to use a soft brush that won’t scratch the finish. In some cases, you may think the brush isn’t doing any damage. Then one day you’re looking at the vehicle in the sunlight and from just the right angle. Then you see it; sweeping scratches everywhere. Ice on t...

One way to ensure your car, truck or SUV will start this winter is to keep it in your McHenry garage. But, inevitably, you’ll have to go somewhere this winter. You’ll drive your vehicle to the store, to the office, to school, to your friend’s house, to a party. And your car, truck or SUV will wind up sitting out in the cold until you’re ready to return home. Starting your car in winter will take more than a warm garage. The cold thickens the oil in your engine’s crankcase. That makes it much harder for the starter to turn the engine over until the combustion cycle takes over. If the starter is old and draws too many amps, it will test the battery’s ability to provide the required amperage. If the battery is weak, even a healthy starter may not have the electrical support to start the engine. This brings up two key components in your car, truck or SUV to consider as another McHenry winter approaches: Is the battery healthy and strong enough to turn the engine over on those bitte...

Snow tires are a great idea, too When you want to go, you press the gas pedal and you go. When you want to stop, you press the brake and stop. At least, that’s the plan. Give the gas pedal too much sudden pressure and instead of ‘going’ your tires will spin and you won’t go much at all until you let off the gas. If you’re going too fast when you hit the brake, you may find that stopping in time is difficult. This condition is exasperated by road conditions, particularly road conditions during a Johnsburg winter. Winter in Johnsburg comes with periods of rain and snow. When that precipitation winds up on the surface of the road, the cold temperatures tend to turn it to ice. Ice is great to keep your drink cold. Ice is great if you want to go skating. But ice is a problem when you’re driving. If you don’t account for the ice when driving, you’ll get into trouble. Imagine if someone from the West coast came out to Johnsburg in the middle of winter. Let’s suppose this person has ...

Winter creates two primary problem for driving in and around McHenry. One problem is traction. The roads get slick and it’s often difficult to maintain the kind of control of your car, truck or SUV that you enjoy in warmer seasons. Today, however, we’re focused on another problem – vision. The windshield and windows frost in the winter. Snow and ice build up on the glass impeding your view. You want a good snow brush and ice scrapper to clean the windshield and window before you drive. You also want a defroster that works. As you drive, falling snow and slushy rain continue to challenge your ability to see the road, other cars and pedestrians clearly. This is all the more the case when driving at night. snow brush These are the critical tools for maintaining a clear field of vision while driving your car, truck or SUV in the McHenry area: Good wipers Full washer solvent and properly operating sprayer Effectively operating heating defroster Good window scrapper and snow brush ...

With the exception of a couple rainy days, we’ve had some amazingly mild temperatures here in Johnsburg lately. It’s difficult to think of days when you’ll need to turn on the car, truck or SUV’s heater. Today, you’re more likely to use the air conditioning. But those cold days ARE coming. When the cold arrives, you’ll want to turn the temperature control knob from blue to red – from cool to heat. And when you do that, you want heat to come pouring out of the vents. You want the heat to warm your chilly bones. But, more than that, you want the heat to help clear the frost off your windshield. Yes, FROST!!! Your car, truck or SUV heater helps to ensure that you can operate your vehicle in comfort, once it warms up a bit. But the heater is also a safety feature. Frost will hinder your view and endanger your drive, whether you’re heading to Stucky’s Bar & Grill for a bite here in Johnsburg, or whether you’re headed out of town. The heater in your car, truck or SUV operates using...

Last week, this blog focused on the importance of maintaining fresh coolant/antifreeze in your car, truck or SUV with the approach of winter. Yes, we have some time yet, but it is coming. This week, this blog will focus on the other essential fluids you need to maintain your vehicle with the approach of another blustery McHenry County winter. What ‘other’ fluids are we discussing? There are several additional fluids in your car, truck or SUV, including: Engine oil Engine oil is critical to the reliable operation and durability of your car, truck or SUV’s engine. Engine oil provides lubrication between moving parts thereby dramatically reducing the heat those parts would otherwise create. The amount of heat that friction would cause would be catastrophic to your vehicle’s engine. Engine oil also carries away particles and fibers that could cause damage between moving parts. Many cars, trucks or SUVs run the same viscosity engine oil year-round, even if it’s a multi-viscosity oil...

Remember that Polar Vortex that crept through the Midwest and McHenry last January? Of course, you’d rather forget that experience, especially with another winter in the offing. Few of us enjoyed the blast of cold that wrapped the region in a deep, bone-chilling freeze particularly since the cold was extremely hard on our cars, trucks and SUVs. Extreme cold tends to illuminate the weaknesses in our vehicles. More than a few cars, trucks and SUVs were unable to start under the effects of the Polar Vortex. The cold may have exposed a weak battery. But some vehicles suffered worse than others. Some McHenry cars, trucks and SUVs suffered catastrophic problems. At its worst, the cold can literally break a car, truck or SUV’s engine – crack the iron block that contains all the moving parts involved in the 4-cycle process that generates thrust. It’s actually a fairly simple mathematical equation. The vehicle requires coolant to keep it from overheating during normal operating temperatur...

There was a time when power-assisted brakes were an accessory you paid extra for when buying a new car. Today, they’re pretty much standard equipment. But automotive technology has gone far beyond those earlier technologies. Consider that power-assisted brakes date back to the early 1920s when the technology was first installed on the Pierce-Arrow. Today, brakes come with ABS (Anti-lock Brake Systems) that pump the brakes more rapidly than any human can so that it’s easier to stop on slick surfaces without the brakes locking up and sending you into an uncontrollable spin. Even ABS brakes date back to 1929 with Gabriel Voisin developed ABS for use on aircraft for use while taxiing. In 1908, J. E. Francis developed a “Slip Prevention Regulator” for use on trains. The first years of the ‘70s were big for ABS. 1970, Ford added “Suretrack” ABS brakes as an option with the Lincoln Continental.  1971, Chrysler and Bendix Corporation introduced computerized ABS brakes, which they...

Next to your home, or even the cost of rent, your automobile is probably your largest investment. You depend on your vehicle. You need it to get to and from work, or to and from the train station, if that’s how you get from McHenry to downtown. You depend on your car to drop the kids off at school, for doctor’s appointments, to run to the store for groceries and more. Try to imagine your life without your car. Inconvenient? That only begins to describe your life without reliable transportation. It’s not only how you count on your car; it’s also all the money you have tied up in your car.  According to the Website nerdwallet, “the average monthly payment on a new car was $523 in the first quarter of 2018.” Your car, however, may not be brand-new. The payments for your older car may be less, or you may even have paid off your car. In either case – with a newer car or an older car – maintenance will keep it running reliably but will also protect your investment. If the engine is...

They're back! Yes, school is open and the school buses are back on McHenry County roads. In some communities of McHenry County, the buses have already started rolling. And when the buses roll, the children are in the area. Often, children are running and playing, or running to catch a bus at the last minute. In either case, they may not pay attention to traffic the way that they should. Hitting a child is a tragedy for everyone: the child, their parents and family, their classmates and you. This is why the law is extremely strict when it comes to driving near a school bus. Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1414 explicitly states that a driver must stop when overtaking, from either direction, a school bus that is stopped for loading and unloading students. The bus driver will extend the warning arm from the front-drivers side of the bus. When you see that arm out – STOP!!! You should also see flashing lights. But, even if you don’t see the warning arm extending from the si...

With school is approaching get out there for that mini-vacation now Hopefully, you and your loved ones have made the most of summer. Oh, it’s not over yet but that time is drawing close. McHenry high schools open this week and McHenry grammar and middle schools open next week. So, if you had hopes of getting away this summer before the kids had to go back to school, the time to act may have passed. With limitations, however, you may still have time. This is particularly true if you take advantage of the upcoming Labor Day weekend. There are places you can, and things you can do, that don’t require a week away and airline tickets. Here are some ideas that are a short-drive away: Take the family fishing: You could rent a cabin, even rent a boat, if you need one. This is a great opportunity to bond with the children. It’s also an activity they’ll cherish for years to come. Just don’t forget the life preservers and fishing licenses. Go to the Dells: There’s a ton for the family to do...

A nasty mix of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons drifts out of your car, truck or SUV’s tailpipe as you cruise down Route 120 in McHenry on a weekend evening. Unless you have an electric car (and it’s important to remember that the electricity used by your electric vehicle requires the generation of electricity at some kind of an electric plant somewhere), you can’t drive without creating emissions. Working semi-quietly under your car, truck or SUV is a piece of equipment designed to reduce the amount of emissions the vehicle produces. This piece of equipment is part of your car, truck or SUV’s exhaust system and is called a catalytic converter. It works by breaking down unburned gasses. Unburned gasses are those that escape from the cylinders after the combustion cycle. The catalytic converter is made of a variety of materials, including ceramic, platinum, palladium and copper. Operating at about 800-degrees Fahrenheit, the converter converts those nasty elem...

It’s hot out these days in McHenry and that could pose a threat to your car, truck or SUV tires. But Joe hasn’t given this much consideration. He does check the tire pressure at the four corners of his 2014 Audi. But, unless his toe is more proficient in the process, his method leaves something to be desired. Joe kicks the tires to ensure they have proper air pressure. Whether by feel or sound, he estimates if the tires have the right air pressure. If he suspects a tire is low, he stops at a filling station that has an air pump and pumps some air into the ‘low’ tire until, with a kick, he’s convinced the tire is close to the proper air pressure. There is a gauge on the filler, but he doesn’t trust he; he has more confidence in his toe. The problem is that his toe isn’t as accurate as he believes it to be and this is more problematic in a McHenry summer. In the summer, the sun casts waves of heat down on the pavement raising the temperature alarmingly. The www.poochandclaws Websit...

Not so crazy when you hear what Ford is using to make cars these days They say you are what you eat. According to Alyson Penn, of Business Insider magazine, “… we may be driving what we eat,” too. In particular, she indicates that Ford Motor Company is partnering with Heinz, the makers of that oh-so-slow ketchup marketed with “Anticipation” back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, to build car parts from tomato byproducts. The idea was that Ford will use dried tomato skins to make wiring brackets and storage bins. Penn’s article was published in 2014. A 2017 article in Fortune magazine indicates that the program was a success and that Ford is now making parts out of tomatoes. In fact, that article goes on to state that Ford also makes parts out of shredded dollar bills. Ford calls these Bio-Materials. The goal is to replace processes where parts are made from petroleum-based products. Petroleum is used in the manufacture of plastic, as well as many other products. Ranken-Energy has a list o...

Summer has come to Wonder Lake and with it the heat is here to challenge the ability of your car, truck or SUV’s coolant system to keep your engine cool and keep you from sweating on the side of the road with the hood up and steam rising. An engine can overheat on one of Wonder Lake’s coldest of days. If you’re vehicle’s coolant isn’t up to par, you could overheat on a 28-degrees-below January night. But, when the thermometer climbs, a weak coolant system is more quickly exposed. The strength of a coolant system is in the quantity and quality of the liquid coolant in the system. When fresh and new, a car, truck or SUV’s coolant will capture and carry away more heat. Overtime, it’s ability to perform this essential task diminishes. The older the coolant, the farther away it is from its original capacity for cooling the engine. As for the quantity of coolant in your car, truck or SUV engine, if it’s filled to the proper level to begin with, as long as there aren’t any leaks, the qu...

Well, it’s finally arrived: the heat has come to McHenry – is your car’s air conditioning ready? You may have taken the time to have your car’s air conditioning checked out before the thermometer began climbing. If so, on these warm, muggy days we’ve had recently, you simply rolled up the window and turned on the AC. If you didn’t take the time to check your car’s air conditioning ahead of time, you may have discovered that only lightly cooled, warm or hot air came out of the vents when you turn on the air conditioning. That’s disconcerting on hot summer days. In some cases, the car’s air conditioning simply doesn’t work. The air coming out of the vents is hot. It’s not even tempered with a hint of cool air. In these cases, your car may have a more serious problem with its air conditioning, such as: A broken condenser A clogged condenser A faulty compressor An electrical issue A broken or loose belt running to the pully on the compressor A refrigerant leak If you have ...

Remember the commercial: “Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet.” The commercial worked because it was a catchy slogan and because the automobile is uniquely American in regard to America’s love affair with the car. Ever since Henry Ford first made cars affordable for average Americans, those Americans have responded with joyful passion. Of course, it’s not just Chevrolet. For the first six or seven decades after Ford developed his assembly line, that love affair was primarily with American-made automobiles, including: Chrysler Dodge Plymouth Jeep GMC Chevrolet Buick Oldsmobile * Pontiac * Ford Mercury * Lincoln Those are the big names, from the Big 3 auto manufacturers: General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Motors. Others, many, but not all, now defunct, included: AMC * Cord * Crawford * DeLorean * Excalibur * Hudson * Nash * Packard * Studebaker * Tucker * Willys (original builder of the Jeep) *  Many, many more * Defunct car manufacture...

Hopefully, your car, truck or SUV’s air conditioning is ready for the dog days of this Johnsburg summer ahead. Don’t be fooled – they are coming. They always do. For now, however, instead of blazing heat, we find ourselves in a Monsoon. Day after day, it’s rain and more rain. Oh, there are nice days in between but they’re far-too infrequent. What does all this rain mean for your Johnsburg car, truck or SUV? When the sun is beating down on your car, it’s slowly burning the oils out of rubber tires and window gaskets, as well as fading that shiny finish on the vehicle. But the rain poses challenges your car, truck or SUV, too. Rust, corrosion, driving visibility, traction and an adverse effect on the vehicle’s finish are among the problems common in the wet season. What should you do to ensure that your car, truck or SUV is prepared for all this rain? You’re not at the absolute mercy of the elements. Here are some things you should consider: Maintain the exterior finish of the car, ...

That used car looks all shiny and new. The interior has that new-car smell. It’s the color you wanted. It’s the model you wanted. It’s love at first sight – kismet. In no time at all, you’re pulling out of the dealer’s parking lot in your new-used automobile with a satisfied smile on your face. But will that smile last? Overtime, that used car will require maintenance and repairs. It’s inevitable. Driving a car on the roads, particularly on McHenry County roads that endure the annual beating called winter, is abusive to any automobile. How well your new-used car holds up depends greatly on the shape it was in the day you happily drove it off the dealer’s lot. A pre-purchase mechanical inspection is a must for a new-used car  Long before you arrived at the dealer, they bathed and preened that used car to increase its curb appeal. That’s part of their job – to make used cars look as new and desirable as possible. When they’ve done their job well, and they usually do, it’s all t...

Sheldon Cooper: Your check engine light is on. Penny: Mm-hmm. Sheldon Cooper: Typically that's an indicator to, you know, check your engine. Penny: It's fine, it's been on for, like, a month. Sheldon Cooper: Well, actually, that would be all the more reason to, you know, check your engine. Penny: Sheldon, it's fine. Sheldon Cooper: If it were fine, the light wouldn't be on. That's why the manufacturer installed that light, to let you know it's not fine. Penny: Uh, maybe the light's broken. Sheldon Cooper: Is there a "check the check engine light light"? In the television show Big Bang Theory there’s an episode where Penny is driving Sheldon Cooper in her car. With his neurotic nature, Sheldon is deeply disturbed that Penny’s “Check Engine” light is on. Penny reassures him that it’s been on for a long time; it’s nothing to worry about. Is Penny right or does Sheldon, regardless of his obsessive-compulsive behavior,...